Clever Wedding Signs

I love adding more than "John and Jane Doe Wedding" directional signs to wedding or events.  It adds a touch of whimsy, romance and playfulness to the day.  I have a stock of reclaimed barn wood that I've hammered into signs...I repaint them with white paint and reuse them for weddings.  You can use anything, though...from vinyl signs to chalkboards to two by fours. Be relaxed, have fun, and play!

Here are some examples of sayings for your signs:

I'll like you forever (next to another sign that reads) I'll love you for always

All you need is love (next to another sign that reads) Love is all you need

...And they lived happily ever after

Mr. Right (for the groom's chair)  Mrs. Always Right (for the bride's chair)

Lovers Lane

...All because two people fell in love

We thank each and every one of you for joining us today.  You've added to our happiness in a very special way.

This way to the wedding

Let's do this thing!

Happily Ever After starts here.

Oh happy day!

Hugs and Kisses from the new Mr. and Mrs.

Come as you are, stay as long as you can, we're all family here, so no seating plan

Life is sweet, take a treat

You don't have to pick sides, sit wherever you like.

Holy matrimony!  Welcome to our wedding.

True love is a big deal

Eat, Drink and Be Married

Our day is happier because you're here.  Thank you.



And thank you for stopping by my corner of the web.  <3 Please share with other nearly newly weds and such in your life.


Love,
Shannon

http://www.onegirlcreative.net/

Garbage to Glam-Make the Most of "Large Item Pick Up" Day!

I'm surprised I didn't get hit or ticketed today. I spent a good couple of hours driving s-l-o-w-l-y by the doors, window frames, old chairs and ladders that sit on the curbs of people's homes for our city wide Large Item Pick Up week, thinking how they'd make such AWESOME wedding props, particularly for outdoor weddings and receptions. I didn't pick up anything though, I forced myself not to.  One Girl HQ (aka my house) is going on the market this summer so I'm trying to purge, not collect.

This, however, doesn't mean that YOU can't collect and turn all that garbage into glam!  Here are some ideas for your wedding or party decor.

*Use old doors as an entrance way to your outdoor wedding or reception.  I'm desperately in love with this look.  It's like an entrance way to a secret garden.

*Use rickety ladders to hang place cards from (in alphabetical order).  Or, use them as shelves for decorative plants or wedding favors.

*Take picture frames, adhere them to plywood and paint the plywood with chalkboard paint for very cool bar, menu, treat and general wedding signs.  Heck, paint wood head boards, old chairs, doors, shelves, etc. with chalk board paint and do the same!

*Use old window and picture frames for really cute photo props (take a picture with two heads kissing in the frame)

*Use glass window panes to write the seating assignments for your reception and hang near the entrance.  Use these also as bar or main menus, or just to write love notes or inspiring messages.

*Take an old scrapes of wood, deconstruct and nail together to make directional signs for your wedding (John and Jane wedding this way) or just rustic love sign to be put into the ground (Eat, Drink and Be Married; Happily Ever After Starts Here, etc)

Think outside the box!  Indoor furniture re purposed and used "outside of its element" adds whimsy and fantasy to the most magical day of your life.

Love,
Shannon
www.onegirlcreative.net

The Candy Bar

'Tis the season to start thinking about purchasing candy for your candy bar. A candy bar is a great substitute for wedding favors.  It's affordable*, delish, and who doesn't like candy?  As an experienced candy bar-er, I wanted to offer my words of wisdom in choosing your goods.

*While I say this is affordable, it's really not the most affordable favor you can purchase, and I think this is a common misconception.  At minimum, you'll want about twenty pieces of candy per person, unless you're planning to only offer it for a couple of hours.  Some folks won't take any (well, they'll SAY they won't take any but they'll sneak some when no one's looking :) and some will load up their bags. Typically I spend $300-$400 on a wedding of 150 (on the low end) and it goes up from there.


So here's a couple of things I've learned over the years.


Have a color that ties everything in.  If you can afford it, do color themed, "off brand" candies from a supplier like candywarehouse.com.  Why?  Well....it looks cool.  :)  And fancy.

Or, samsclub.com works great, too!  Make pretty labels for your candy jars and decorate with the same color ribbon to keep the color theme on a low budget.

Avoid anything jelly or sugar shell coated. I don't mean M and M's...google "peppermint candy pillows" and you'll get the sugar coated no-nos.  In my experience, they melt in a big clump and you have to spend half the night chiseling away at the candies.

One way to help avoid this  (warning.....this next part is kind of gross.....) is purchase tongs for the candies as opposed to hand held scoops.  You can get clear tongs at the Dollar Store.  This avoids perspiration or cold drink residue from people's hands reaching into the candy (told you.  Gross, but true).

Containers...get different sized, clear containers that range from big to small.  The more interesting and varied, the better.  Rent them from me!  Or, think outside of the box and use vases, fish bowls, your grandma's old punch bowl, etc.  Hit up garage sales.

Stick the handles of suckers and rock candy in brick of floral foam and decorate with ribbon or linens.  Different heights and close together is the key.  Too spread out or even (all one sized dish), and it looks like you skimped on the goods.

For the treat bags? Check out orientaltrading.com.  Wal mart has them, too!  Or get fancy and check out websites like Beau Coup Favors, or my favorite, Nashville Wraps.  Use "cake slice" bags or miniature "Chinese take out" pails.  Avoid big bags.  Big bags = loads of candy.

Finally (and most importantly) have a designated person in attendance.  Have ME in attendance, really...but if you're not going to hire a Wedding Coordinator, have someone responsible that's not too chatty and will remember to do their job after a few cocktails to keep those candy dishes filled, keep the bags neat, keep the random candy pieces that fall of the table in the garbage and keep everything looking clean, well stocked and pretty.  Otherwise, you're going to run low and it'll be a hot mess half way through cocktail hour. Trust me.  It happens (but not on my watch!)  

That's my thoughts in a nut shell.  I LOVE candy bars because I have a huge sweet tooth, and there's not many times in our adult lives where we just get to gorge on yummy candies.  When I'm a wedding guest, I appreciate a good mix and a fun display.

For more ideas, e-mail or call me anytime!  "Life is Sweet, Have a Treat".

Love,
Shannon
www.onegirlcreative.net

Great example of a bar!  Yellow and orange ties the candies together, the different levels and shapes add interest, and the labels and bunting add an adorable accent to the set up.

*beams* Yes, good has been done here. *shoulders back* *chin up* *cape flies in the breeze*

Wausau, WI.– April 23, 2012 – WeddingWire, the nation's leading wedding Marketplace, is excited to announce One Girl Creative llc has been selected to receive the prestigious WeddingWire Bride’s Choice Awards™ 2012 for Wedding Coordination and Decoration!




The esteemed annual awards program recognizes the top local wedding vendors from the WeddingWire Network who demonstrate excellence in quality, service, responsiveness and professionalism within the wedding industry. While many industry awards are selected by the organization, One Girl Creative llc was selected based on its stellar reviews from past newlywed clients.



One Girl Creative llc is recognized as part of the top five percent of wedding professionals in the WeddingWire local vendor community, comprised of over 200,000 wedding professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The Bride’s Choice Award recognizes the best local wedding vendors across 20 service categories, from wedding venues to wedding photographers, based on their overall professional achievements throughout the past year.



“WeddingWire is thrilled to honor the success of the top-rated wedding professionals within the WeddingWire Community,” said Timothy Chi, CEO, WeddingWire. “Since the launch of the Bride’s Choice Awards™ program four years ago, thousands of outstanding wedding professionals have been recognized by the bridal community for their supreme service and dedication to the wedding industry. It is with great pleasure that we congratulate One Girl Creative llc for their continued professionalism and commitment to enriching the wedding planning experience for engaged couples.”



One Girl Creative llc is owned and operated by Shannon Thomas in downtown Wausau, serving North Central Wisconsin (and beyond) with Wedding and Event Management, Decoration and Planning. Since its inception in March of 2009, she has assisted in over 20 weddings and events, and is a great resource for brides on a budget, creative ideas and trends for "Wedding Season" (May through October). She is available for interviews by contacting her at 715-679-1498, or by e-mail at shannon@onegirlcreative.net.





For more information on One Girl Creative llc, please visit our website at www.onegirlcreative.net



To learn more about the Bride's Choice Awards™, please visit www.WeddingWire.com.



About WeddingWire, Inc.

WeddingWire™, the nation's leading marketplace serving the $70 billion wedding industry, is the only online wedding planning resource designed to empower both engaged couples and wedding professionals. For engaged couples, WeddingWire offers the ability to search, compare and book over 200,000 reviewed wedding vendors, from wedding venues to wedding photographers. WeddingWire also offers a comprehensive suite of online planning tools for weddings, including wedding websites and wedding checklists, all at no charge. For wedding professionals, WeddingWire is the only all-in-one marketing platform for businesses online and on-the-go. WeddingWire offers one simple solution to build a professional network, improve search visibility, manage social media and reach mobile consumers. Businesses that advertise with WeddingWire appear on WeddingWire.com, ProjectWedding.com and other leading sites, including MarthaStewartWeddings.com (NYSE: MSO), Brides.com and Weddingbee.com.

Weddings and Proms and Part Time, oh my!

It's been awhile since I've blogged...weeks turn into months before I even know it, and here we are, at the end of April and I've already been through my first wedding of the season!

Nepco shelter in Wisconsin Rapids was my Friday the 13th wedding a couple weeks ago. If you're looking for an outdoor wedding (with a guest list of 125 or less), this might just be the spot.  Just gorgeous, and it was the kind of wedding reception I like best.....everyone pitching in with the food and the help, making an intimate family and friend filled event.  A taco bar with steamed tortillas was dinner (delish) and the dessert bar was RIDICULOUS (in a good way, of course).  Everyone brought bars or cookies or something sweet, and there was literally dozens of treats, and cake, and a chocolate fountain with sliced fruit, marshmallows, etc.  If you know me and my sweet tooth at all, you know that I was cheering for every tasty morsel that made its way on the scene.


This last weekend was DC Everest Prom.  Incredibly fun set up with amazing kids. If I could do proms for a living, I probably would.  Not that I don't adore weddings...of course I do....I'm just sayin', when someone hands you a budget and says "Here. Our theme has stars, glitter and candy.  Order what we need"...it's a good time!

I'm grateful for such amazing kids (and their adviser, Renee!)  I gave them materials that we purchased and pulled from the theater room, and they ran with it.  They were hard workers, courteous, optimistic and fun.  I truly hope I get to work with them in 2013.

In TWO WEEKS I get to go part time at my day job, which means wedding season has officially begun.  Blessed to be going into my third year of business.  A baker's dozen of weddings later, I know I've found my true love in event decorating and planning, and I'm so thankful for every last one of y'all that have (and continue to) support One Girl. We have 12 (13?  I've lost count!) weddings this summer which is over twice as much as last year, and I have three girls on staff, Heather, Alysian and Abrielle.  Heather's mom used to be a wedding planner so she's right at home with the decorating and planning. Abrielle worked for me last year as a bartender, and naturally transition into a role as a coordinator, and Al? She's 15, artistic, energetic and ready to take on her first season!

It's going to be a great year.:)


Love,
Shannon
www.onegirlcreative.net

The Grounds of Nepco Shelter

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The dessert bar!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DC Everest Prom 2012

The 411 on paper lanterns

Paper lanterns are, hands down, the most popular wedding and event decoration, for good reason. They're economical, beautiful, and the perfect way to add color and ambiance to your day..if you purchase and set them up correctly.

I've worked with quite a few couples that purchase the most inexpensive kind they can find just to be very disappointed in the light and quality. I'm here to help to help!

When you purchase paper lanterns, you're actually purchasing four elements.

The lantern
The frame
The light
The Batteries


The most inexpensive paper lanterns you'll find ANYWHERE* is at www.lunabazaar.com. Test me on that. (o.k.-mabye Craig's List or EBAY will have them beat, but that's about it).


You don't want to use paper lanterns if you're having your event where they can get wet or be exposed to high humidity (i.e. a covered pavilion outside). The reason being-paper lanterns are made out of rice paper which will literally melt and disintegrate, leaving the dye to shmear what ever the paper hits.

The solution-Nylon Lanterns. I try to use these all the time anyway, but particularly outside. You can throw water at them all day long and they're fine. The colors are brighter, and they won't tear or rip (so they can be used again).


The next part is the frame. Your lanterns will come flat and will need you to insert it. Be careful how you do this...the paper lanterns will tear very, very easily.


All that's left is the light and the batteries.

When purchasing the light packs, you're going to be very tempted to purchase this-

Or even these...

Because they come with the batteries, and they're relatively inexpensive. ($3.00-$5.00) a pack.


Read the fine print. Even the three bulb lights suggest "two or more packs for brighter light" (which really means noticeable light), and that's just the smaller lamps. If you want really BIG ones, they suggest four to six packs!


These are the lights that the One Girls use.They have sixteen lights in one pack. It says the burn time is eight hours...but I use Duracell batteries and they've been lit for days.

I get our packs from www.paperlanternstore.com

And our batteries?

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/866130/Energizer-Max-Alkaline-AA-Batteries-Case/


That's right, buy 144 at a time. What can I say...? We go through a lot of batteries.


I hope this helps you in your wedding plans. And....I must mention....you can rent a nylon lantern and battery pack filled with fresh batteries from us in an array of colors for only $3.00
With all the math I laid out, you can see that's a really, really good deal. :)


xo,
Shannon
www.onegirlcreative.net

What exactly does One Girl do?

I think there's something I'm supposed to be doing at 2:14 a.m...



Oh yeah. Sleeping.



Well, since that seems to of alluded me tonight, I thought I'd give you the cliff notes of something I get asked a lot.


"You're a Wedding Planner? That's cool. What do you do?"


A lot, actually. It's not like the Jennifer Lopez movie where I talk on a walkie talkie to my staff and hand stressed out dad's Xanax. :) Instead, I take (one of the) most memorable and expensive events you'll ever host and make them more cohesive, creative, and cost effective.


Typically I offer three packages, and 98% of my couples fall into one of the three.



1) Decoration
For the couple that wants to do everything themselves, but -very smartly- knows that, come wedding day, there's 5,000 other things they and their family can be doing besides steaming chair covers and hanging Chinese lanterns. My girls and I decorate when you want, and then come back when you need us to tear everything down. Oops-"tear" is a shop term. We actually pack everything away very nicely for you and yours. :)

We need a minimum of four hours for both setting and tearing, and you get a minimum of two assistants. The cost for this service is typically $300*

*Yes, I may be the only Wedding Planner in history that will out right share her prices, but it is what it is. There's no point in you and I falling in love with the idea of working together just to find out it's not in the budget. Please keep in mind that all listed prices are for my standard, around 120-150 person wedding. If you have an intimate or grandiose event, of course the price is going to adjust. I've decorated for as little as $50, and as much as $1000. I can promise you one thing-I'm very, very fair in my pricing, and this I'll support with as many testimonials as you like. I love, need and want to be part of your wedding. I'm not going to inflate my cost so that you turn elsewhere.


Digressing! Happens at 2:38 am.


2) Decoration and Day of Management

This is for everyone, EVERY couple, everywhere! When you come to me for decoration, I'm going to offer you this package as well because I truly believe it's essential. My girls and I meet with you up to three times prior to the wedding and unlimited text/email/call to assist you in covering your bases with vendors, sticking to a budget and bringing all those ideas into a cohesive design.

We do all the set up and decorating, and then during the wedding, we host and manage.

We work as a first point of contact for all of your vendor and guest questions. We greet your guests, assist them to their seats, take their coats and gifts and explain the event as needed. We coordinate your entrance. We clean up garbage. We jump in to bartend. We've parked cars, held back hair, pinned dresses, cuddled fussy babies, fixed broken boutonnieres, packed up extra cake...you name it, you've got at least two of us for your whole reception, happy and anticipating every need.

Post event, we pack up all of your personal items, clean up the venue, take down all decorations, provide a safe ride to your hotel...whatever you need. There's no time limit or lack of enthusiasm. We're on our game far after the last toast has been made.

Cost for this service is typically $650.

3)All Inclusive

This typically works best for my brides and grooms that live out of the area but want to have their wedding in Central Wisconsin because their family is here, OR those that have full time jobs, family responsibilities or other restraints that just don't allow a ton of time to focus on your weddings.

Keep in mind, this doesn't mean you're "handing over the reigns" and have no input. Not at all. We make your ideas happen. We take your ideas, embelish on them, and help them reach their full potential. We're magic makers.

Unlimited meetings and correspondence, of course.
Vendor referrals and attendance, note taking and brain picking at all vendor meetings
Wedding website and online plans kept at My Wedding Workbook Pro (.com)
Save the dates and invites are hand addressed and sent out on your behalf
All of our pre made rental items are INCLUDED in this service (excluding linens)
Gift bags in all hotel rooms for your guests, complimentary
Unlimited service the day before, of and after by at least two attendants
Storage at One Girl HQ of all purchased wedding items
Retrieving and returning of all rentals, and complete set up, take down and management.

There's more, I know....but 2:45 is starting to tax my brain.

The cost of this service is typically $2000.



So that's my packages. And outside of this...

We rent wedding items, from Chinese lanterns to vases, candy bar displays to gift boxes. We don't rent chairs or tables, but we have some great referrals for you of folks who do.

We rent every linen in every style and color you can imagine. I'm serious-try me. I'm thrilled to be working with BBJ linen and Bay Towel to bring you the practical to the extravagant.


We're The Business for the Best Day of Your Life, and we love it-all of it. Thank you for reading this blog and supporting One Girl!

I'm going to try a warm glass of milk and counting sheep now. Stay in touch.


xo,
Shannon
www.onegirlcreative.net